Could you use some writing inspiration? Maybe you’ve hit a slump. Or maybe you’ve lost the joy of writing among the piles of deadlines and deliverables. A unique satisfaction comes from expressing our innermost thoughts through words. A great way to achieve just that is with a writing prompt and writing contest. Today kicks off the annual KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy, where many experienced book lovers donate their time and talent to submission winners. Here’s your chance, and mine, to not only let our hearts, minds, and souls be stirred but to also see what works of art our fellow writers in the #WritingCommunity create. Jump in for all the details!
Below is my KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy entry for 2020 (#FallWritingFrenzy), hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez (Associate Agent at Olswanger Literary) and Lydia Lukidis (published author). Rules here. Donors here. Submissions here. Contest runs from October 1, 2020 until October 3, 2020 with winners to be announced October 31, 2020. What are you waiting for?!
You can also see what I submitted for and won last year for KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019.
And without further adieu…my 2020 submission:
- Image Selection: Number 2
- Word Count: 144
- My Prize Request: PB Manuscript Critique (Rhyming/Non-Rhyming), PB Query Critique
- Country: USA
Underneath the Costume Veil
See us coming one and all,
Dressing up in time for Fall.
Wearing costumes head to toe,
Adults do it too you know.
We all wonder who to be,
Let’s be us, can we agree?
Underneath the costume veil,
Our view of us we assail.
We are critics, self-proclaimed,
Focusing sights on the vain.
We are critics, looking ’round,
Will we ever become crowned?
We are critics, raw and rough,
How we doubt ourselves is tough.
Doubting seeds they grow until,
Heart and mind and soul do will,
Accept who we are is still,
Good enough and can fulfill.
We are lovely. Kind. Sincere.
Friendly. Caring. We appear.
We should not fear being true,
We are all a vibrant hue.
In the mirror let us cast,
One last glance and answer fast.
My question don’t misconstrue,
Who am I and who are you?
Annie Lynn
October 17, 2020This right here…. We should not fear being true, We are all a vibrant hue.
Great job Rhys.✌🏼🎶
Rhys Keller
October 18, 2020Thanks, Annie! I love that line too 🙂
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
October 4, 2020Thanks so much, Rhys for sharing this empowering poem! So glad to know I’m not the only one who questions these things and so wonderful to be affirmed in positivity
Rhys Keller
October 5, 2020Thank you for reading it, Kaitlyn, and I’m so glad it resonated with you!
Charlotte Sheer
October 3, 2020Your poetry prowess is wonderful…Love the message you evoke!
Rhys Keller
October 4, 2020Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Charlotte!
mdpwallace
October 2, 2020I love this take! The look at costuming and identity – I enjoyed reading it a few times 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 2, 2020Thank you! So glad you enjoyed thinking over the poem.
melissamiles1
October 2, 2020I loved this image, but couldn’t think of a story. Great job! My daughter literally towered over her peers, so this one immediately caught my eye. 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 2, 2020Ha! Thanks, Melissa!
anneuro
October 2, 2020You deliver so many good vibes and good lines in this pithy, topical, and insightful meditation on masks and identity. “We are all a vibrant hue” really resonated with me. @AnneLipton
Rhys Keller
October 2, 2020Thank you for such kind words, Anne!
Alicia Curley
October 1, 2020Lovely poem, Rhys! A lot of reflection as you read through. Love the idea of a veil that we are really hiding behind. Good luck!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thanks, Alicia! What a veil we all wear…if only we were completely comfortable in our own skin…
Sarah Meade
October 1, 2020I enjoyed reading this thought-provoking piece. Love the ending line, too.
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thank you, Sarah! So glad the deeper meanings are coming through.
Jennifer Raudenbush
October 1, 2020Lovely sentiment! Good luck in the contest!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thank you so much, Jennifer!
Kelly Conroy
October 1, 2020Great poem and great message!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thank you, Kelly!
heatherbell37
October 1, 2020Lovely poem! I love how it delves into the deeper thoughts of being in costume.
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thank you, Heather, and I’m glad that angle of the poem is coming across. Our daily costumes aren’t easily seen.
csheer18
October 1, 2020Not being on Twitter must mean I am not able to participate?
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020You can totally participate, Charlotte! Just go to the rules paged linked above and you’ll fill out the submission form. Your submission story/poem can be posted on your website or in the comment section of the submission’s page on Kydia’s site. I’m rooting for you, you non-Twitter user!
Charlotte Sheer
October 3, 2020Thanks for the encouragement, Rhys! Though late to the party, I DID write a story yesterday, posted this morning in the Comments of Lydia’s Entry Form post.
Rhys Keller
October 4, 2020Way to go, Charlotte! Way to be bold, courageous, and creative! Hope you win a prize 🙂
csheer18
October 4, 2020Your comment is the ‘highlight’ of my day, Rhys! (WINK, WINK to your blog post on ‘being a highlighter’!)
Rhys Keller
October 4, 2020Haha!
Jolene Ballard Gutiérrez
October 1, 2020Well done, Rhys! And in rhyme, no less–so impressive!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Aw, thanks, Jolene! And thank YOU for being one of this year’s prize donors!
Ashley Chalmers
October 1, 2020Wow, great job! And just clicked over to last year’s entry, hope you’re on a winning streak now!!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thanks, Ashley! One can only hope 🙂
Brenda Whitehead
October 1, 2020Lovely poem, Rhys! You’ve wonderfully captured the magic and fun of costumes. Good luck!
Rhys Keller
October 1, 2020Thank you, Brenda!
colleendougherty
October 2, 2020Nice, Rhys!
Rhys Keller
October 2, 2020Thanks, Colleen!